Deep-well pump



E. D. McDONALD. DE EP WELL PU P.

APPLICATIONIILED FEB. 2, 1921.

Emma July 11, 19.22..-

2 SHEETSSHEET l.

E. D. McDONALD.

D E EP WELL PUMP. APPLICATION FILED FEB. L192].

1,42%,588, Patented July 11, 1922.

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DEEP-HELL PUMP.

cense.

Application filed. February 2, 1921.

1 0 all 207mm 2'25 may concern Be it known that l, ELIJAH D. MoDoNaLD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Deep ell Pumps, of which'the following is a. specification. 7

This invention relates to pumps, and particularly pertains to deep well pumps of the screw impeller type.

An object of the invention is to provide a pump of simple construction and high mechanical elliciency.

Another object is to provide a construction embodying a plurality of interchangeable parts that may be assembled to provide a pump for lift-in water or oil from a well of any given depth.

Another object is to provide a construction in screw impeller pumps; whereby a flow of water is directed against each impeller in such a manner as to tend to avoid contacting with the. outer )eriineter oi the im aeller so as to reduce the slippage common to this type of pump.

Another objectis to provide a member adapted to be interposed between each sec tion or" easing immediately below the impeller. This member being adapted to serve as a means for rigidly securing the sections of easing together so as to be water-tight; to provide rigid guide for the impeller shaft; to provide stutfing boxor similar means encompassing the shaft so that grit or foreign articles will not come in contact with the shaft at that point; and to further provide a means for directing the flow of fluid therethrough to prevent slippage.

Another object is to provide, in such pumps, a bearing disposed within a watertight compartment at the base of the pump, to serve jointly as a thrust bearing and as a guide to prevent whipping of the lower end of the shaft. This bearing being completely enclosed to exclude grit and foreign particles which might otherwise enter.

Anotherobject is to provide a means of thoroughly lubricating all hearings in pumps of this type.

A further object is to provide a pump particularly adapted -for lifting crude oil from wells, and a means for breaking up and dis- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 11, 1922.

Serial No. 441,920.

solving paraffin and other matter that normally tends to choke up the suction end of oil pump and interfere with pumping the 011.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a View mainly in vertical section of a pump adapted to carry out the purpose of the invention; those portions in which parts shown are duplicated not being shown.

Figure 2 is a view in section seen on the line 22 of Figure 1. v

Figure 3 is a view in section as seen on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view in. section as seen on the line H of Figure 1. v

Figure 5 is a view in section as seen on the line 55 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail view of a port-ion of the pump casing.

Figure 7 is a view in section as seen on the line 7-7 of Figure 6.

More specifically, 8 indicates a vertical shaft driven in any suitable manner, but here shown as provided with a pulley 9 for this purpose which is guided at its upper end by a yoke 10. This shaft is shown extending vertically through the center or a pump casing 11, which casing is made up of a plurality of casing sections 12. Disposed at the lower end of each section of casing are screw impellers 13 or" the Archimedeantype, which are fixed to the shaft and rotated thereby and which normally are or a circumference suliiciently less than the inner perimeter of the casing in order to give suflicient clearance and provide for wearing of the parts. The shaft is sup ported by thrust bearings 14 and 15 disposed above the surface of the ground which may be of any suitable type or number, but are here shown as being two in number. The upper bearing 14 is of the usual oblique roller type and serves to practically support the weight 0]": the shaft as well as serving as a centering means therefor. This roller bearing is supported by a circular casing 16 which completely encloses it and is formed with a circular pocket 17 in which the roller bearing rests. This pocket is provided with a cover 17 at its upper end and is also pro vided with a stufiing box 18 rendering the pocket practically oil tight and proof against dust and foreign matter. To the external casing 16 is bolted a discharge casing 19 of somewhat similar construction, which is provided with a water discharge pipe 18; the upper wall of this discharge casing is formed with another circular pocket 19 in which is disposed a plurality of thrust washers 20 which encompass the shaft, but permit of free rotation thereof. Positioned immediately above these washers is a thrust collar 21 which is fixed to the shaft and which rests upon the upper of the washers 20. This pocket is also provided with a packing gland similar to that provided for the upper thrust bearing to render the circular pocket oil tight so that the thrust washers may be lubricated.

The general arrangement of shaft, casings, impellers, and thrust bearings as de scribed or those substantially similar are common to'these types of pumps and are well known. It will be observed, however, that the lower thrust bearing which is normally designed to take the greatest portion of the load is so disposed within the discharge casing as to Y be completely surrounded by the flowing water, and thus be kept cool as isessential for such bearing. The upper bearing may also be cooled in a similar manner by causing some of the discharge to pass through the upper casing. In the construction of the casings 16 and 19 a single piece serves as a casing as well as a support for thrust bearings.

Other features new and novel to deep well pumps is a steam passage 22 which extends downward through the shaft, the shaft being formed hollow to provide this passage. Steam is admitted to this passage through a plurality of radial ports 23 which are provided in an enlarged portion 24 of the shaft which may be formed thereon in any suitable manner, but is here shown as screwed thereto. This enlarged portion 2a is surroundedbya fluid-tight casing 25 which closely surrounds all exposed surfaces thereof and which further assists in supporting the weight of the shaft and to take up some of the thrust. This casing is provided with a steam inlet port 26 which extends partiallyaround the circumference thereof so as to establish communication with the hollow portion of the shaft and which port 26 extends over a sufiicient arc so that steam is always being admitted to at least one of the radial ports-to provide an uninterrupted flow ofsteam and an equalization of pressure throughout all steam passages. This casing is provided with a cover portion 27 which is secured thereto in any suitable manner, such as by cap screws 28 and which may be fixed so as to frictionally engage the upper surface of the enlarged portion of the shaft. A lubricant supply pipe 29 passing externally of the casing to a suitable source of lubricant, not shown, is adapted to supply lubricant to the rubbing surfaces within the casing and to render parts steam tight. A lubricant discharge line, not shown, may be also provided to carry off the excess lubricant and to permit of constant circulation. Surrounding this casing is another casing 30 of larger diameter which provides a water passage around the inner housing, this casing being provided at its upper end with a flange 31 secured thereto and bolted to the casing 19 and is'further provided at the lower end with another flange 32 to which is secured theupper section of the pump casing. This arrangement of flanges and casings being adapted to permit of the ready assembly or repair and replacement of the parts contained therein. The upper impeller is disposed at any suitablev depth below the ground according to the conditions, and the upper section of the casing may be of any suitable length or consist of a plurality of sections joined together in any suitable manner, but is here shown of comparatively short length so that this upper impeller is immediately below the surface of the ground. I

The impellers jointly known as a cluster, are preferably disposed singly in each section of the casing, as is commonto this type of pump. These sections are joined together and held rigidly relative to one an other by means of a circular member which constitute a new and novel element in pumps of this type. This circular member which as shown clearly by Figures 6 and 7, is of larger diameter than the casing sections and is provided with a plurality of bolt holes 34- spaced around that portion thereof which is external to the casing. The upper and lower surfaces of this circular member are each provided with an annular recess 35 adapted to receive the adjacent ends of the casing sections to tend to hold them rigidly in position and to provide a fluid-tight oint. In the assembly of the pump, the impellers are fixed to the shaft so as to be positioned immediately above the circular member. Bolts 36 of sufficient length to pass from the upper surface of one circular member to the lower surface of the member positioned below it are then inserted through the holes provided. These bolts are alternated so that alternate bolts extend upward to engage the lower flange so that two adjacent circular members are rigidly bolted together and the lower of'these two circular flanges is in turn rigidly bolted. to the underlying member. This construction per mits of building up a casing of any required length, of a plurality of casing sections, all

of which are substantially the sameand interchangeable and each'circular member is also similar and interchangeable with the other. I

Shaft guide-bearings 37 of suitable material such as bronze are inserted within these circularmembers which are recessed to receive a shoulder 38 formed on the guidebearingi I The circular ternally threaded to receive packing glands 89 which closely encompassthe bearings 37 and provide a means of retaining packing 38 in position around the shaft. These packing glands are preferably made of the same material as the guide-bearings and the lower portion 39 of each is formed to serve as an additional guidebearing for the shaft. The glands are provided with threads 40 whereby they may be screwed into position and retained thereby by the normal rotation of the shaft, the threads being such that the tendency of the gland to turn with the shaft results in the packing being at alltimes tight and compensating for its normal wear.

The packing serves to prevent grit and foreign matter from coming in contact with the guide bearings These guide-bearings may be positioned at suitable intervals throughout the entire pump unit and when the casing sections are of short length it is not essential to provide such a bearing in each circular member.

These circular members are provided with segmental openings or water passages 4-1 which are formed by radial ribs 1-9. The outer perimeters of these segmental water passages are preferably circular and dis posed in an arc of lesser circumference than the inner perimeter of the casing and which arc is also within the outer perimeter of the impelle These water passages thereby direct the flow of water passing therethrough and tend to prevent water from coming in contact with the outer periu'ieters of the impeller, resulting in a reduction of slippage as has been found in practice. The ribs 42 also serve to reduce the swirl' action of the water, the reduction of wl as is well lrnowin also tends toward proved efficiency.

It will be observed that the circular members which are of simple construction serve to provide a means for quickly and securely assembling a plurality of interchangeable sections of casing together to form a rigid pump casing of any required length; to serve as a means for direc ng the flow of water so as to reduce slippap in the manner described; to provide a rigid guide and bearing for the shaft; to provide a stufiing box to prevent grit and foreign matter from coming in contact with he shafts and to permit of the assembly of a complete unit in which a shaft and casing are held rigidly relative to one another.

The lowermost circular member placed at members are iii-- the suction end of the completed pump is inverted and its under surface is provided with an annular recess 43 of smaller diameter to receive a smaller casing 44: which completely surrounds the shaft, so as to provide a fluid-tight compartment 45 for a thrust bearing 46. A lowermost member l? holds a stationary portion d8 of the thrust bearing 46 which is also drilled to provide a con inuation of the steam passage, the normal contact of tie rotating shaft and the stationary element of the bearing serving to provide a steam tight joint. This stationary portion d8 is formed convex at its up per end to engage the shaft which is formed concave at its end. Screwed to this stationary member 48, which projects downward through the lowermost member a7, is a steam discharge cage L9 which is closed at thebottom to retain a spring balanced check ball 50 which prevents the contents of a well from entering the hollow shaft.

"Openings 51 are provided in this cage to allow the steam to escape. in pumping oil from wells the steam serves to loosen and dissolve paraffin and other precipitations which form about the suction cages of oil pumps, thus assuring a steady flow of oil.

Lubrication of all bearings is effected by forcing lubricant into the hollow shaft either with the steam or separately at suitable point, such as at the upper thrust bearing. The shaft is provided with small open ings 52 which may be positioned at any point that it is desired to have the oil enter or escape. Overflow of the lubricant from the upper thrust bearing or other points at which'it is admitted will pass through these openings and due to centrifugal force will be held against the internal wall of the hollow shaft and will escape at the openings provided and thus lubricate all surfaces wherever the openings are provided. By forcing-oil into the upper thrust bearing at a pressure greater than that of the steam this oil will lubricate those bearings and then enter the hollow shaft and flow downward to lubricate any predetermined bearings. lower thrust bearing disposed at the bottom of a well being thoroughly lubricated, the lubricant being retained therein by the fluid tight casing around it.

The operation of the pump is apparent from the foregoing rotation of the shaft causing the screw impellers to lift the water or oil in the manner well known, but in the operation of pumping water, steam is not admitted to the shaft but lubrication is effected by the hollow shaft in either of the operations.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of.my invention, I do not limit myself to the exact details of construction and the arrangement of parts shown,

This flow of oil will result in the but may employ such changes and modifications as occasion may require without de parting from the spirit of the invention, coming within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a pump, the combination of a rotatable shaft having a steam passage extending downward through said shaft, means for admitting steam thereto, screw impellers on said shaft, a casing surrounding said shaft andi'mpellers and comprising a plurality of casing sections, circular members disposed between said sections and having an annular shaft guide supported by said circular members, packing means on said guide, means for securing each circular memher to adjacent circular members, said members provided with vater passages having their outer perimeter of lesser radius than the screw impellers, a suction cage fixed to the lower end of said casing, a water-tight compartment within said casing, a thrust bearing disposed within said suction cage and adapted to center such shaft.

2. In a pump, the combination of a rotatable shaft having a steam passage extending downward through said shaft, means for admitting steam to said rotatable shaft, screw impellers on said shaft, acasing surrounding said shaft and impeller; said casing comprising a plurality ofsections, circular members disposed between said sections and having an annular recess on either surfacev to receive the adjacent ends of said casing, shaft guides supported by said circular members, stufling boxes to said shaft guides, means for securing each circular member to the adjacent circular member, said circular member further provided with water passages having their outer perimeters of lesser radius than said screw impellers, a suction cage fixed to the lower end. of said casing, a thrust bearing disposed within said suction cage adapted to center said shaft, and a water tight casing surrounding said bearing. I

3. In a pump having a rotatable shaft and a plurality of impellers fixed thereto, the combination of a plurality of section casings surrounding said shaft and impellers, and circular members of larger diameter than said casing disposed between said sections of easing, said circular member having a shaft guide portion lined thereto and formed with a packing gland, and further provided with a plurality of water passages adapted to direct the flow of fluid through said pump whereby the water tends to avoid the outer perimeter of said impeller, and means for securing each of said circular members to adjacent members.

l. in a pump having a vertical rotatable sha the combination of a suction cage, a sham guide adapted to centersaid shaft and receive some of the thrust thereof, said shaft guide secured to said intake cage, and a fluid tight casing surrounding said shaft guide. f

5. In a pump having a rotatable. hollow shaft, means for admitting steam to said shaft, said means comprising a plurality of steam ports radially positioned in said shaft, a stationary steam tight casing closely encompassing said shaft formed with a steam port therein adapted to be in constant communication with at least one of said radial steam ports at all times.

6. In a pump, a tubular shaft, an end thrust bearing for said shaft, and a: housing enclosing the point of contact of the shaft and thrust bearing forming a water tight chamber around the shaft, said shaft formed with an opening through which lubricant may be delivered from the interior of said shaft by centrifugal force.

7. in a pump, a tubular shaft, a thrust bearing for the end of said shaft having a passa e communicating with the interior of said shaft, said bearing having a concave end wall and said shaft having a convex end scatingon saidwall, and a housing enclos ing the point of contact of the shaft and thrust bearing forming a water tight chamber around the shaft, said shaft formed with an opening through which lubricant may be delivered from the interior of said shaft by centrifugal force;

ELIJAH n. MCDONALD. 

